Presenter - John Coghlan
"Evergreen Oaks - Attractive, Versatile, and Resilient! - October14th, 2024
​John will take us on a tour through the world of Oaks, and particularly Evergreen Oak trees, which are arguably one of the most underused species in our gardens today. Oaks generally are magnets for wildlife and wonderfully summer drought tolerant. Many of the evergreen specimens are smaller in size and fit well near structures and in smaller gardens. And their leaf shape, color, and growth habits are beautiful in their own right. After a brief introduction to Evergreen Oaks, John will share specifics about a few standout trees, followed by a brief discussion of companion plants and time for Q&A.
John is a NW native and recent migrant to Vashon. What drew him to Vashon was the vision of a life where his daughters could grow up a few steps from the woods and a stream, raising animals and growing tree crops while still being connected to a vibrant community. He draws regular inspiration from the meadows, woods, creeks, and wetlands that he explores with his family.
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HomeGrown Organics is owned and run by John Coghlan
During the eight years that he spent in Southern California during and after university, he caught quite a travel bug, and learned Spanish. For a while it seemed his life was headed towards helping the poor in Latin America through some form of dignifying business development. These efforts led him to permaculture, and the wide world of books and lectures on nature, sustainable living, and a re-envisioned “back to the land” movement.
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John and his wife and two young daughters now live on Vashon, building a small innovative homestead. For the past four years, John has run HomeGrown Organics, an edible landscaping company in Seattle. He is an experienced contractor with the City of Seattle’s RainWise program there, and has designed and built dozens of low-maintenance urban farms. In 2016, he decided to open a new branch of Homegrown Organics—this time focusing particularly on homesteads on Vashon Island. He now offers his services to his neighbors where together he hopes to build a more resilient community and a more beautiful and productive relationship with their land.
Scene & Heard: Islander wins big at Flower Garden Festival
John Coghlan’s edible landscaping company won gold at the Northwest Flower Garden Festival.
By Elizabeth Shepherd • February 22, 2024 1:30 am
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Islander John Coghlan’s edible landscaping company, HomeGrown Organics, won a gold award at this year’s Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, held at the Seattle Convention Center from Feb. 14-18.
Coghlan’s showstopping garden display — billed as a tribute to his cherished family garden on Vashon — featured a blend of orchids that were created, years ago, at Vashon’s Beall Greenhouses, and traditional and exotic edible crops. Designed with all ages in mind, the garden featured a meadow of sedges — a resilient lawn alternative designed as a play area for the whole family.
Coghlan is an experienced contractor with the City of Seattle’s RainWise program and has designed and built dozens of low-maintenance urban farms.
In 2016, he decided to open a new branch of Homegrown Organics — this time focusing particularly on homesteads on Vashon. He now offers his services to his neighbors — and with them, hopes to build a more resilient community and a more beautiful and productive relationship with the land.
Find out more about Coghlan’s work at hg-organics.com.
Services Offered:
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Consultation & Coaching
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Design
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Installation & Maintenance
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​​​HomeGrown Organics can make your dream a reality. We specialize in water gardens and rain harvesting, edible plants, patios, paths, fences, and coops; all with an eye for recycling materials wherever possible. We take great pride in the quality and craft of our work and enjoy every drop of rain, and every beam of sun that keeps us company.
Our maintenance services focus on weeding, pruning and clean-ups. Whether you need to downsize your garden, get something crazy under control, or have us come out monthly or quarterly for upkeep we would be happy to help!